ICCT and Fraunhofer ISI report BEV price drop in Germany; Prices fell 18%, models quadrupled.

ICCT and Fraunhofer ISI report BEV price drop in Germany; Prices fell 18%, models quadrupled.

“The energy transition is achievable – if research and society work together on it”

How can we successfully navigate the path to a climate-neutral future? Since 2022, this question has been the focus of the traveling exhibition “Power2Change: Mission Energy Transition.” At ten locations across Germany, it brought both challenges and potential solutions to life for a broad audience. Now that the exhibition has come to an end, Sandra Naumann takes stock. The UMSICHT researcher was involved in the “Science Communication on the Energy Transition” project almost from the very beginning and played a special role: She coordinated collaboration among the project partners and bridged the perspectives of research, museum work and science communication.

Special coating strengthens ultra-thin glass-on-glass PV module

EXXOSQEL GmbH and the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP have jointly developed a glass-glass PV module with front and back glass panels each only 1 mm thick. A reactive coating compensates for the lower mechanical strength and stiffness of the ultra-thin glass. The demonstrator highlights the potential for lighter, more material-efficient solar modules for use in building-integrated photovoltaics and further applications.

Fraunhofer IWES Wind Lidar Buoy deployed with two next-gen Lidar units

For the first time, the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES is operating two different profiling Lidar types simultaneously on a Fraunhofer IWES Wind Lidar Buoy. The campaign aims to validate the suitability of both systems for offshore buoy deployment while exploring new measurement concepts to increase data availability and enable complementary measurement strategies. As the first deployment of these next-gen Lidar units on a floating Lidar buoy, it also provides data to evaluate their performance under offshore conditions. It is being carried out as part of the “Wind-Lidar-Boje NG“ research project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).

Silicon Photovoltaics Make Power Generation in Space More Cost-Effective

The American company Source Energy and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have jointly developed a new product line for space satellites based on silicon solar cells. The solar arrays are using a special interconnection technology. Combined with inexpensive silicon solar cells, this enables modules at much lower costs compared to standard III-V technology that currently dominates the space sector. The automated production process, utilizing the M10 Solar Equipment GmbH’s Shingle-Matrix Stringer, allows Source Energy to delivery their products in less than six months from the time of order.

Energy-Efficient Electric Drying With Superheated Steam

Industrial drying processes consume large amounts of energy and negatively impact the climate since they burn fossil fuels to heat air. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB are working with industry partners on a new approach to decarbonize this process: Instead of hot air, they are using superheated steam. Combined with a heat pump and smart controls, their superheated steam drying process saves significant amounts of energy and eliminates the need for natural gas.

Indo-German Research on Floating Photovoltaic Systems

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla, India. The goal is to collaborate on research projects in the field of renewable energy, to facilitate the joint supervision of master’s and PhD students and to offer exchange programs. The collaboration will focus in particular on research into floating photovoltaic systems as well as agrivoltaics.

Propane Heat Pumps for Multi-Family Houses – Fraunhofer ISE Develops Solution Concepts

Heat pumps can replace existing gas and oil heating systems in multi-family houses when the entire system is designed to match the building. This is the core finding of the “LC R290” research project, in which the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE worked with a consortium of twenty companies from the heating industry and housing sector to develop typical solution concepts for heating system replacement. The project team used the refrigerant propane (R290) for this purpose.

Battery electric vehicle prices fell 18% and model choice quadrupled between 2020 and 2025

In Europe’s largest automotive market, battery electric vehicles became about 18 percent cheaper in real terms between 2020 and 2025, even as average prices appeared to rise as a result of a changing model mix. Meanwhile, the number of electric models available on the market has more than quadrupled. That is the finding of a new joint study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, covering the German market as a key indicator of broader European trends. The study draws on more than 100,000 individual data points across six vehicle segments, from small to luxury cars.

Future technologies are increasing raw material demand: A Fraunhofer study shows where action is needed

How will emerging technologies such as electric mobility, renewable energy and artificial intelligence impact raw material demand? This question is addressed in the new edition of the “Raw Materials for Future Technologies” study which was presented today. In it the Fraunhofer Institutes ISI and IZM analyze the future development of 34 technologies and 14 raw materials on behalf of the German Raw Materials Agency (DERA) at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR). Early action is required in order to avoid supply bottlenecks and enable a sustainable transformation.

Team ESILIB: Award for Sustainable Batteries with Increased Storage Capacity

At the “From Lab to Market Challenge” event held in Leverkusen at the end of June, the “ESILIB” team from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE took second place. The researchers are developing anode materials for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries, focusing on a silicon-carbon composite that is sustainable and can increase the range of electric vehicles by up to 40 percent.

Energy I Climate I Environment

2026 “The energy transition is achievable – if research and society work together on it” August 17, 2026 How can we successfully navigate the path to a climate-neutral future? Since 2022, this question has been the focus of the traveling exhibition “Power2Change: Mission Energy Transition.” At ten locations across Germany, it brought both challenges and potential solutions to life for a broad audience. Now that the exhibition has come to an end, Sandra Naumann takes stock. The UMSICHT researcher was involved in the “Science Communication on the Energy Transition” project almost from the very beginning and played a special role: She coordinated collaboration among the project partners and bridged the perspectives of research, museum work and science communication. more info

2026 Special coating strengthens ultra-thin glass-on-glass PV module August 12, 2026 EXXOSQEL GmbH and the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP have jointly developed a glass-glass PV module with front and back glass panels each only 1 mm thick. A reactive coating compensates for the lower mechanical strength and stiffness of the ultra-thin glass. The demonstrator highlights the potential for lighter, more material-efficient solar modules for use in building-integrated photovoltaics and further applications. more info

2026 Fraunhofer IWES Wind Lidar Buoy deployed with two next-gen Lidar units August 06, 2026 For the first time, the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES is operating two different profiling Lidar types simultaneously on a Fraunhofer IWES Wind Lidar Buoy. The campaign aims to validate the suitability of both systems for offshore buoy deployment while exploring new measurement concepts to increase data availability and enable complementary measurement strategies. As the first deployment of these next-gen Lidar units on a floating Lidar buoy, it also provides data to evaluate their performance under offshore conditions. It is being carried out as part of the “Wind-Lidar-Boje NG“ research project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). more info

2026 Silicon Photovoltaics Make Power Generation in Space More Cost-Effective August 04, 2026 The American company Source Energy and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have jointly developed a new product line for space satellites based on silicon solar cells. The solar arrays are using a special interconnection technology. Combined with inexpensive silicon solar cells, this enables modules at much lower costs compared to standard III-V technology that currently dominates the space sector. The automated production process, utilizing the M10 Solar Equipment GmbH’s Shingle-Matrix Stringer, allows Source Energy to delivery their products in less than six months from the time of order. more info

2026 Energy-Efficient Electric Drying With Superheated Steam August 03, 2026 Industrial drying processes consume large amounts of energy and negatively impact the climate since they burn fossil fuels to heat air. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB are working with industry partners on a new approach to decarbonize this process: Instead of hot air, they are using superheated steam. Combined with a heat pump and smart controls, their superheated steam drying process saves significant amounts of energy and eliminates the need for natural gas. more info

2026 Indo-German Research on Floating Photovoltaic Systems July 30, 2026 The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla, India. The goal is to collaborate on research projects in the field of renewable energy, to facilitate the joint supervision of master’s and PhD students and to offer exchange programs. The collaboration will focus in particular on research into floating photovoltaic systems as well as agrivoltaics. more info

2026 Propane Heat Pumps for Multi-Family Houses – Fraunhofer ISE Develops Solution Concepts July 28, 2026 Heat pumps can replace existing gas and oil heating systems in multi-family houses when the entire system is designed to match the building. This is the core finding of the “LC R290” research project, in which the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE worked with a consortium of twenty companies from the heating industry and housing sector to develop typical solution concepts for heating system replacement. The project team used the refrigerant propane (R290) for this purpose. more info

2026 Battery electric vehicle prices fell 18% and model choice quadrupled between 2020 and 2025 July 20, 2026 In Europe’s largest automotive market, battery electric vehicles became about 18 percent cheaper in real terms between 2020 and 2025, even as average prices appeared to rise as a result of a changing model mix. Meanwhile, the number of electric models available on the market has more than quadrupled. That is the finding of a new joint study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, covering the German market as a key indicator of broader European trends. The study draws on more than 100,000 individual data points across six vehicle segments, from small to luxury cars. more info

2026 Future technologies are increasing raw material demand: A Fraunhofer study shows where action is needed July 09, 2026 How will emerging technologies such as electric mobility, renewable energy an